Vaporizer



p 1929. R. F. LONABERGER ET AL 1,726,847

' VAPORIZER Eiled Sept. 5, 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet l r 1 i I r-L I H b I l i i l jmwn tow Qozr/ E Zonab'arger;

Char/e5 F 50/76/51 the L1, attozrwya Sept. 3, 1929. R. F. LONABEEGER ET AL 1,72%,84?

VAPORIZER Filed Sept. 5,. 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 6062/7" f Lona/oe/"ger Char/e6 2 Sands Patented Sept. 3, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT F. LONABERGER AND CHARLES F. SANDS, OF READING, PENNSYLVANIA,

ASSIGNORS TO LLOYD A. UNGER. TRUSTEE.

VAPORIZER.

Application filed September 8, 1925. Serial No. 54,216.

This invention aims to improve the operation of Internal combustion engines of the type utilizing a mixture of air and a volatlle liquid fuel, and more particularly to adapt to operation with heavy liquld such engines fuels not easily volatilized, such as kerosene, petroleum distillate and fuel oil forexample.

The invention further aims to enable nonvolatile fuels to be utilized in operating internal combustion engines primarily designed for running on gastline, to simplify the construction of heavy fuel vapo rizers, and to adapt one and the same vaporlzer for producing a suitable explosive mixture from either light or heavy fuels. Further aims and advantages of the invention appear in connection with the following description of the illustrative embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a vaporizer primarily intended for internal combustion engines of the self-propelled vehicle type, wherein self-starting means are usually provided, and is adapted to operate under all conditions of load and speed;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation, and Fig. 3 is a plan view of the same; and

Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are vertical cross-sections on the lines l -4, 55, 66, respectively, in Fig. 8, looking in the direction of the arrows in each case.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, referring particularly to Figs. 1, 2 and 4, the vaporizer body 10 has an outlet pipe 11 which is'adapted to be secured to and supported by the inlet pipe or manifold of the internal combustion engine by any suitable means,-such as the bolting flange 12. A throttle valve 13 may be fitted in the outlet pipe for controlling the flow of fuel mixture to the engine. 7

The vaporizer has two fuel nozzles for normal operation, a primary nozzle 1 1 (see Figs. 3 and 6) in the burner passage 15 for feeding liquid fuel into the air stream passing through said passage into the combustion chamber 16; and a high speed nozzle 17 (see Figs. 4 and 5) arranged in the throat 18 Where the combustion flue 19 enters the outlet pipe 11 for feeding vaporized fuel into the mixture of air and gases from the combustion, chamber.

The fiow of fuel through the primary fuel nozzle may be adjusted by means of the.

screw stemmed needle valve 20 to suit the fuel and air conditions. The flow of fuel vapor from the high speed nozzle 17 may be controlled by means of a spring pressed needle valve 21, which is lifted from its seat 1n the mouth of the nozzle by the opening of the auxiliary air valve 22 through the intermediary of the lever 23 (see Fig. 4).- The air valve spring 24 and vapor valve'spring 25 normally maintain these valves closed, and provide means for varying the amount of suction necessary to operate them. An adjusting sleeve 26 for the auxiliary air valve spring, and adjusting nuts 27, 28, on the upwardly projecting stems of the air valve and vapor needle valve, respectively, provide means for adjusting the opening of these valves to suit the conditions of operation for maintaining the desired proportions of air and fuel vapor in the mixture passing from the vaporizer. A cranked clamp or looking screw 29, controlled by means of a flexible wire or other suitable connection from a convenient point, is provided for securing the air valve and vapor needle valve in closed position forenabling a rich mixture to be produced, as for starting operation of the vaporizer.

The products of combustion and unburned or partly burned fuel pass from the combustion chamber 15 through a zig-zag annular passage 30 (see Fig. 5) into the combustion flue 19, where they are diluted with air from the auxiliary air inlet 31, and the flame extinguished if it has not been extinguished in the narrow passage 30. A spring pressed valve 32 controls the opening from the atmosphere into the auxiliary air inlet. The minimum opening and maximum opening of this valve may be adjusted by means of the screw 33 and pin 34 to suit the starting or idling and the normal running conditions, respectively, the valve spring 35 being strong enough to hold the valve in its nearly closed position during starting or idling of the motor, but not strong enough to hold it against the suction developed in the auxiliary air inlet during normal running with. the throttle valve partly or fully open.

For starting when cold, the vaporizer is fitted with a gasoline spray nozzle 36 (see Figs. 3 and 6) in the burner passage 15, and

CIT

fed from any convenient supply of gasoline. A gasoline valve 37 is provided, controlled by a flexible wire or other suitable means, operated from a convenient point. The suction at starting is sufficient to draw the gasoline from the tank or supply provided it is not too 'far below the orifice of the nozzle, the exact level of the liquid with reference to the orifice being unimportant.

Preferably the burner inlet passage discharges into the combustion chamber through a circular series of burner orifices 38 surrounding the auxiliary air inlet, and thereby causing a circular flame in the combustion chamber which is deflected against its sloping side walls by the hood 39 surrounding the'annular flame extinguishing passage 30. The proportions of the air inlet orifice 40 (see Fig. 3) and fuel spray nozzle orifice 14 are such as to form a rich gas in the burner mixing passage that normally burns with a smokeless blue flame in the combustion chamber. A spark plug 41 is provided for igniting the fuel mixture as it enters the combustion chamber from the burner orifices.

Surrounding the combustion chamber is a liquid fuel vaporizing chamber 42 (see Fig. 5) which is fed from the same fuel supply as the primary nozzle 14. The vapor outlet passage 43 rises from the fuel vaporizing chamber and supplies the high speed fuel nozzle 17 through a suction pipe 44 which dips at its lower end into the liquid fuel in the vaporizing chamber and has small openings 45, 47 at both its lower and upper ends, and openings 46 in its side wall above the normal level of the fuel. Under ordinary conditions the suction pipe will feed nothing but vapor to the high speed nozzle, but under very high suction som-e liquid will be drawn into it through the orifice 45 at its lower end and fed into thenozzle with the vapor.

Any excess of vapor will pass up through the outlet passage 43 to the vapor outlet 48 in the wall of the vaporizer outlet pipe 11 adjacent to the closed position of the throttle valve, and be discharged into the mixture passing the edge of the throttle valve. During idling of the motor the vapor thus discharged tends to enrich the mixture ap preciably and make it better suited for this condition of operation. The vapor outlet 48 and suction pipe 44 are readily removable and may be adjusted for position of orifices or replaced with other similar parts having different orifices to suit the fuel and seasonal conditions ofoperation.

In order that gasoline may be substituted for heavier liquid fuel in case of emergency without requiring readjustment of the primary nozzle 14 and high speed nozzle 17, an annular series of fuel orifices 49 is provided in the. throat below the high speed nozzle, and connected with the fuel chamber 50 through a duct controlled by a needle valve 51 (see Fig. 4.) This needle valve is closed when the vaporizer is operating upon heavy liquid fuel in the fuel chamber 50.

The operation of the vaporizer is almost entirel automatic except for starting, being contro led by the throttle valve as in. gasoline carburetors. For starting, the auxiliary air valve 22 is locked in its closed position, and the gasoline cook 37 is opened before turning overthe engine. The engine suction'starts as soon as the engine is turned over, and causes a considerable drop in pressure and flow of air through the burner inlet passage 15, picking up both gasoline and some heavy fuel. The spark plug is preferably connectedin the engine ignition circuit, and commences sparking when the engine is started rotating. The mixture of fuel and air explodes in the combustion chamber because of the presence of the gasoline and burns with a yellowish flame until the apparatus warms up, at which time the gasoline may be shut off and the auxiliary air valve unlocked. A small opening 52 (see Fig. 3) is provided in the top wall of the combustion chamber for observing the condition of the flame.

During normal running of the motor the engine suction will cause the auxiliary air valve 22 to remain partly open, and thus the needle valve 21 for the vaporizer fuel valve 17 will be slightly raised, permitting some fuel vapor to pass into the stream of air and gases from the combustion chamber, assing through the throat 18 and mix therewith. As the engine speed increases with a wider opening of the throttle valve 13, the suction, in the passage 11 will increase and open up the auxiliary air valve 22 and vaporized fuel valve 21, and pull more fuel vapor from the nozzle 17 until the pressure in the vaporizer chamber is reduced to the point where liquid fuel is fed to the nozzle 17 through the ports 45, 46, along with fuel vapor through the port 47 in the suction tube 44, thereby increasing the amount of fuel fed to the engine and counteracting the tendency of the auxiliary air valve to make the mixture too lean with a wide open throttle setting.

Our invention is compact, free from a large number of parts requiring frequent adjustment or manipulation, and gives a vaporized mixture of heavy fuel and air that will burn in the engine without smoke.

What we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is as follows:

1. A vaporizer comprising a mixing chamber, a fuel vapor nozzle associated therewith, a vaporizer chamber communicating with said nozzle, means for supplying heavy liquid fuel to said vaporizer chamber, a combustion chamber adjacent to said vaporizer chamber, an outlet from said combustion chamber into a passage leading to said mixing chamber, means for admitting air to said passage in a. stream leading past burner mixin chamber communicating with said nozzle,

means for supplying heavy liquid fuel to said vaporizer chamber, a combustion chamber adjacent to said vaporizer chamber, an

outlet from said combustion chamber into a passage leading to-said mixing chamber, means for admitting air to said Passage in a stream leading past said outlet, a burner mixing chamber having heavy fuel andair sup ly means and discharging into said .com ustion chamber, and an auxiliary suply of light fuel to said burner mixing chamr' for starting purposes. v

3. A vaporizer comprisingamixing chamber, a fuel vapor nozzle associated there-' with, an auxiliary air valve for said mixing chamber, and means associated therewith for controlling the flow of fuel vapor through said nozzle, a vaporizer chamber communicating with said nozzle, means for supplying heavy liquid fuel to said vaporizer chamber, a combustion chamber adjacent to said vaporizer chamber, an outlet from said combustion chamber into a passage leading to said mixing chamber, means for admitting air to said passage in a stream leading past said outlet, a burner mixing chamber having heavy fuel and air supply means and dischar 'ng into said combustion chamber, an auxiliary supply of light fuel to said burner mixing chamber for starting purposes, and means for closing said auxiliary air valve and vapor nozzle during the starting operation of said vaporizer.

4. A vaporizer comprising a mixing chamber, a fuel vapor nozzle associated therewith, a vaporizer chamber communicating with said nozzle, means for supplying heavy liquid fuel to said vaporizer chamber, a combustion chamber adjacent to said vaporizer chamber,-an outlet from said combustion chamber into said mixing chamber, means for'admittin ailto said outlet, a chamber having heavy fuel and air supp ymeans and discharging into said combustion chamber, an auxiliary supply of light fuel to said burner mixing chamber for starting 7 i for shutting off said light fuel supply independently of said heavy fuel supp y.

urposes, and means 5. A vaporizer comprising a mixing chamber, a fuel vapor nozzle associated there-. with, a vaporizer chamber communicating with said nozzle, means for supplying heavy liquid fuel to said vaporizer chamber, a combustion chamber adjacent to said vaporizer chamber, an outlet from said combustion chamber into said mixing chamber, means for admittingair to said outlet, -a burner mixing chamber having heavy fuel and air supply means and discharging into said combustion chamber, an auxiliary supply of light fuel to said burner mixing chamber for starting purposes, said auxiliary supply discharging into the heavy fuel and air supply, and means for shutting off said light fuel and air supply.

6. A vaporizer comprising a mixing chamber, a fuel vapor nozzle associated therewith, a vaporizer chamber communicating with said nozzle, means for supplying heavy liquid fuel to said vaporizer chamber, a

combustion chamber adjacent to said vaporizer chamber, an outlet from said combustion chamber into said mixing chamber, means for admitting air to said outlet, a burner mixing chamberhaving heavy fuel and air supply means and discharging into said combustion chamber, an auxiliary supply of light fuel to said burner mixing chamber for starting purposes, means for restricting the air openings into said mixing chamber at starting, and means for shutting off said light fuel supply independently of said heavy fuel supply.

7. A vaporizer of the combustion burner type having a burner mixing chamber provided withan air supply, heavy fuel supply means and light fuel supply means arranged to deliver fuel into said air supply, a combustion chamber, an air duct extending through said combustion chamber, a burner opening discharging from said burner mixing chamber into said combustion chamber surrounding said air duct, an annular outlet having a zig-zag path for products of combustion from said combustion chamber into said air duct, and a vaporizer chamber surrounding said; combustion chamber and discharging into said air duct near its discharge end.

8. A vaporizer of'the combustion burner type having a. burner mixing chamber provided with an air supply, heavy fuel supply means and light fuel supply means arranged to deliver fuel into said air supply,a combustion burner, an air duct extending through said combustion chamber, a burner opening discharging from said burner mixing chamber into said combustion chamber, an annular outlet from said combustion chamber into said air duct, a vaporizer chamber surrounding said combustion chamber and a nozzle connected to said vaporizer Chamber and discharginginto the products from the burner chamber andthe auxiliary air.

9. A vaporizer of the combustion burner type having a discharge passage for the combustible mixture, a burner mixing chamber provided with an air supply, heavy fuel supply means and light fuel supply means arranged to deliver fuel into said air supply, a combustion chamber, an air duct extending through said, combustion chamber, a burner opening discharging from said burner mixing chamber into said combustion chamber, an annular outlet from said combustion chamber into-said air duct, and a vaporizer chamber surrounding said combustion chamber and discharging into the mixture passing through said air duct between said outlet and said combustible mixture discharge passage, said vaporizer chamber having a liquid and-vapor separating column adapted to feed vapor under normal suction and liquid under heavy suction.

- 10. A vaporizer of the combustion burner type having a discharge passage for the combustible mixture, a burner mixing chamber provided with an air supply, heavy fuel supply means and light fuel supply means arranged to'deliver fuel into said air supply, a combustion chamber, an air duct extending through said combustion chamber, a

burner opening discharging from said burner mixing chamber into said combustion chamber, an annular outlet from saidicombustion chamber into said air duct, and a vaporizer chamber surrounding said combustion chamber and dischargmg into the mixture passing through said air duct between said outlet and said combustible mixture discharge passage, said vaporizer cham ber having a liquid and vapor separating column ada ted to feed vapor under normal suction an liquid ,under heavy suction, a valve controlling said feed and a permanent but small vapor discharge opening from the top of said column to'saiddischarge passage.

11. A vaporizer of the combustion burner type having a discharge passage for the combustible mixture, a burner mixing chamber provided with an airjsup 1y, fuel supply means arranged to deliver uel into said air supply, a combustion chamber, an air duct extending through said combustion chamber, a burner opening discharging from said burner mixing chamber into said combustion chamber, an annular outlet from said combustion chamber into said air duct, means for controlling the supply of air to said duct, and a vaporizer chamber surrounding said combustion chamber and discharging into the mixture passing through said air duct between said outlet and said combustible mixture discharge 12. A vaporizer of the combustion burner type having a discharge passage for the combustible mixture, a burner mixing chamber provided with an air supply, fuel supply and vapor separating columnadapted to feed vapor under normal suction and liquid under heavy suction.

13. A vaporizer of the combustion burner type having a discharge passage for the combustible mixture, 9, burner mixing chamber provided with an air supply, fuel supply means arranged to deliver fuel intosaid air supply, a combustion chamber, an

air duct extending through said combustion chamber, a burner opening discharging from said burner mixing chamber into said combustion chamber, an annular outlet from said combustion chamber into said air duct, means for controlling'the supply of air to said duct, and a vaporizer chamber surrounding said combustion chamber and discharging into the mixture passing through said air duct between said outlet and said combustible mixture discharge passage, said vaporizer chamber having a liquid and vapor separating column adapted to feed vapor under normal suction and liquid under heavy suction, a valve controlling said feed and a permanent but small vapor discharge opening from the top of said column to said discharge passage.

14. A vaporizer of the combustion burner type having a burner mixing chamber pro-' vided with an air supply, fuel supply means arranged to deliver fuel into said air supply, a combustion chamber, an air duct extending through said combustion chamber, a burner opening discharging from said burner mixing chamber into said combustion chamber, an annular outlet from said combustionehamber into said air duct, and a vaporizer chamber surrounding said combustion chamber and discharging into the mixture passing through said air duct sub-' stantially as described.

15. A vaporizer for heavy fuel comprising a combustion chamber and a mixing chamber, an air passage leadinglto said combustion chamber, said passage aving an air inlet opening of predetermined size, a main fuel supply, a primary fuel nozzle connected vaporized fuel nozzle, and means for operating said valve when the suction exceeds a predetermined amount.

16. A vaporizer for heavy fuel comprising a combustion chamber and a'mixing chamber, an air passage leading to said combus tion chamber, said passage having an air inlet opening of predetermined size, a main fuel supply, a primary fuel nozzle connected thereto arranged insaid passage, a main air,

inlet for said mixing chamber, said main air inlet having a suction responsive control valve, an outlet from said combustion chamber into said main air inlet, a fuel vaporizer connected to said main fuel supply and disposed adjacent to said combustion chamber in heat exchange relation therewith, a vaporized fuel nozzle infsaid main air inlet and supply connections thereto from said fuel vaporizer a valve normally closing'said vaporized fuel nozzle, and means for operating said valve when the suction exceeds a predeterminedamount a supplementary air in- I let for said mixing chamber, and suction responsive valve means normally closing said air inlet. r

i 17. A va orizer for heavy fuel comprising a combustion-chamber and a 'mixin chamber, an air passa e leadin to sai combustion chamber, sai assage iaving an air inlet opening of pre etermined size, a main fuel supply, a primary fuel nozzle connected thereto arranged in said passage, a main air inlet for said mixing chamber, said main air inlet having a suction respon sive control valve, means for adjusting the minimum and maximum opening thereof to suit starting and normal runnin conditions, respectively, a restricted out ct from said combustion chamber into said main air inlet, a fuel vaporizer connected to said main fuel supply and disposed adjacent to said combustion chamber to absorb heat therefrom, a vaporized fuel nozzle in said main air inlet and supply connections thereto from said fuel vaporizer, a valve normally closing said vaporized fuel nozzle, and means for operating said valve when the suction exceeds a predetermined amount.

18. A vaporizer for heavy fuel comprising a combustion chamber and a mixing cham ber, an air passage leading to said combustion chamber, said assage having an air inlet opening of pre etermined size, a main fuel supply, a primary fuel nozzle connected thereto arranged in said passage, amain air inlet for said mixing chamber, sald mam air inlet having a suction responsive control valve, an outlet from said combustion cham ber'into said main air inlet, a fuel vaporizer connected to said main fuel supply and dis posed adjacent to said combustion chamber, a vaporized fuel nozzle in said main air inlet and supply connections thereto from said fuel vaporizer said connections including a tube dipping below the normal liquid level .in said vaporizer and having its upper end above the level of said-nozzle and being con nected to said nozzle intermediate its ends, a valve normally closing said vaporized fuel nozzle, and means for operating said valve when the suction exceeds a predetermined amount.

19. A vaporizer for hea fuel comprising a combustion chamber an a mixing chamber, an air passage leading to said combustion chamber, said assage having an air inlet opening of pre etermined size, a main fuel supply, a primary fuel nozzle connected thereto arranged in said passage, a main air inlet for said mixing chamber, said main air inlet having a suction responsive control valve, an outlet from said combustion chamber into said main air inlet, a fuel vaporizer connected to said main fuel supply and disposed adjacent to said combustion chamber, a vaporized fuel nozzle in said main air inlet and supply connections thereto from said fuel vaporizer, said connections including a tube dipping below the normal liquid level in said vaporizer and having its upper end above the level of said nozzle and openings at its up er and lower ends and at the normal li uid evel, said tube being connected to sai nozzle intermediate its ends,

a valve normally closing said vaporized fuel nozzle, and means for o erating said valve when the suctlon excee s a predetermined amount.

20. A vaporizer for heavy fuel comprising a combustion chamber and a mixing chamber, an air passage leading to said combus; tion chamber, said assage having an air inlet opening of pre etermined size, amain fuel supply, a primary fuel nozzle connected thereto arranged in said passage, a main air inlet for said mixing chamber, said main air inlet having a suction responsive control valve, means for ad usting the minimum and maximum opening thereof to suit startwhen the suction exceeds a predetermined amount, a supplementary air inlet for said mixing chamber, and suction responsive valve means normally closing said air inlet.

21. A vaporizer for heav fuel comprising a combustion chamber an a mixing chamber, an air passage leading to said combustion chamber, said assage having an air inlet opening of pre etermined size, a main fuel supply, a primary fuel nozzle connected thereto arranged in said passage, a main air inlet for said mixing chamber, said main air inlet having a suction responsive control valve, an outlet from said combustion chamber into said main air inlet, a fuel vaporizer connected to said main, fuel supply and disposed adjacent to said combustion chamber, a va orized fuel nozzle in said main an inlet an supply connections thereto from said fuel vaporizer, a valve normally closing said vaporized fuel nozzle, means for operating said valve when the suction exceeds a predetermined amount, a. small orifice connecting said mixin chamber and the vapor space above the liquid fuel level in said vaporizer, and means for bleeding said vaporizing nozzle from said vapor space.

22. A vaporizer for heavy fuel comprising a combustion chamber and a mixing chamber, an air passage leading to said com bustion chamber, said passage having an air inlet opening of predetermined size, a main fuel supply, a primary fuel nozzle connected thereto arranged in said passage, a main air inlet for said mixing chamber, said main air inlet having a suction responsive control valve, an outlet from said combustion chamber into said main air inlet, a fuel vaporizer connected to said main fuel supply and disposed adjacent to said combustion chamher, a vaorized fuel nozzle in said main air inlet an supply connections thereto from said fuel vaporizer, a valve normall closing said va orized fuel nozzle, means or o eratin said valve when the suction exceeds a pre etermined amount, a supplementary I supply 23. A vaporizer for heavy fuel comprising a combustion chamber and a mixing chamber, an air passage leading to said combustion chamber, said passage having an air injacent to said combustion chamber, a vaporized fuel nozzle in said main air inlet and connections thereto from said fuel vaporizer, a Valve normally closing said vaporized fuel nozzle, means for operating said valve when the suction exceeds a predetermined amount, a supplementary air inlet for said mixing chamber, and suction responsive valve means normally closin said air inlet, asmall orifice connecting sai mixing chamber and the vapor space above the liquid fuel level in said vaporizer, and means for bleeding said vaporizing nozzle from said vapor space, said bleeding means having greater capacity than said orifice, whereby said primary nozzle furnishes a richer mixture and said vaporizer chamber an increasing amount of liquid in proportion to vaporized fuel as the suction increases.

24. A heavy fuel vaporizer having a combustion chamber provided with aburner head and igniting means, a burner mixing chamber and*fuel supply therefor, a va' or-' izing chamber arranged about said com ustion chamber to absorb heat therefrom, and vaporizer nozzle discharging into the mixture after the same has passed through the combustion chamber, and an auxiliary air valve for admitting air to dilute said mixture, said auxiliary air valve and vaporizer nozzle being operated by suction of the engine'to open them after the engine attains its normal running speed.

In testimony whereof, we have signed our names to this s ecification. ROB RT F. LONABERGER. CHARLES F. SANDS. 

